Steve Guerdat (Switzerland) would be the third man clear. The three riders would go into a jump-off for gold.

Germany has a particular hold over this event, having won nine of the last ten renewals and eleven of the last thirteen World Championships.

Henrik von Eckermann (Sweden) was the first to complete a clear round. Behind him on time but also clear were Peder Fredricson (Sweden), Malin Bayard-Johnsson (Sweden) and Daisuke Fukushima (Japan). Maikel van der Vleuten (Netherlands) would set the fastest time with Ben Maher (Great Britain) only tenths behind. Scott Brash (Great Britain) and Cian O’Connor (Ireland) were both unfortunate to miss the time limit by 0.45 seconds.